In an effort to create steady and ongoing content, the Watchtower Database has tapped me for its new Trivia Tuesdays segment. Every other week, we release a one-minute video relating a random fact about the DC Animated Universe, usually pertaining to behind-the-scenes elements such as voice acting or production.

Our first installment was entitled “Tim Drake, Boy Wonder of Many Voices” where we look at the five different voice actors to lend their talents to the second Robin.

Next, we look at Superman and his cheekbones of steel, digging into why Superman’s appearance changed so drastically between his look on SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and JUSTICE LEAGUE, and the subsequent redesign for the latter series’ second season, and beyond into JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED.

With episode #6 scheduled on New Years Day, we decided to run an interview that we conducted a few months ago with Scott Peterson, editor on THE BATMAN ADVENTURES and writer on BATMAN GOTHAM ADVENTURES, both ancillary comics series to the legendary BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. Peterson has worked on countless other projects in the comics realm, and his interview is well worth the listen for its inspiration and look behind the initial creative process.

For episode #8, we appropriately discussed STAR WARS, EPISODE VIII: THE LAST JEDI. I must admit that I was a little rusty since I had only watched it once, and it had been a few weeks since my viewing, but James and I managed to cover the gist. There were aspects to both appreciate and critique, from the production to the plot. When you get down to it, Mark Hamill’s return to playing Luke Skywalker was a big deal, whether you thought director Rian Johnson approached that correctly or not, an argument that will be sure to permeate among fandom for years.

Another guest joined the show for episode #9 where we discussed the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Jesse Dellea, a rabid MCU fan who digests every piece of content you can find from MARVEL. We talked about recent films like last year’s SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, NETFLIX series THE DEFENDERS and THE PUNISHER, content on other channels such as AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. and RUNAWAYS, as well as shows from FOX’s X-MEN universe like LEGION and GIFTED. The future looks bright for MARVEL as they prep for INFINITY WAR and beyond to phase 4, which could possibly be fantastic.

In episode #5, we reviewed the JUSTICE LEAGUE movie shortly after its release, but spoiler alert: it was pretty problematic for various reasons. We also speculated on the AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR trailer, slated for release in May 2018, which seems to use the same plot as JUSTICE LEAGUE, but bigger and better. Ironic.

Next, we brought on our first guest, Brian Day of New Angle Entertainment, to talk through The CW’s latest superhero crossover event “Crisis on Earth-X”, a four part special which reunited the characters from ARROW, THE FLASH, SUPERGIRL, and LEGENDS OF TOMORROW. I also bring up Captain Carrot and Earth designations of the DC Multiverse, so there’s plenty of trippy nerdy stuff to unpack here.

AS ONE FLESH is now listed on IMDb, one of my main goals for the project. The short is currently under consideration at a number of regional and national film festivals, which I hope to be able to announce soon. Stay tuned for more updates.

Another issue of LEGACIES OF THE DCAU dropped on Saturday, November 25th. Issue #4 concludes the first major story arc “Destroyed”, which takes place days after the conclusion of the JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED series finale episode “Destroyer”, and sets the stage for LEGACIES’ future as it ventures into uncharted territory, setting up a confrontation between the Justice League and black ops agency Checkmate, led in part by the political powerhouse Amanda Waller.

This issue is essentially a love letter and homage to the Fourth World characters created by comic book legendary creator Jack Kirby. After an action packed intro where Mister Miracle saves the day, Superman leads a peace treaty between the New Gods and the World Assembly of Earth. Orion is the focus of one sequence where he reclaims the throne of Apokolips after his father Darkseid’s apparent demise at the end of the JLU animated series, which was one of my favorite scenes to write so far. Read the full issue linked below on the webcomic’s official website.

Six-page special “Powers That Be” is coming soon, following up on last summer’s “Asylum”, both of which were written by myself and drawn by Marcello Millicay. These Gotham based specials will culminate in a thematic series of issues leading into the eventual aesthetic of the BATMAN BEYOND animated series.

AS ONE FLESH is a psychological horror short written and directed by J.W. Naylor, Madeleine Richardson as Director of Photography, with an original soundtrack by Tony Mozz, and produced by myself. The film stars Jeff Alexander, Victoria Rae, Franklin Lovingood, and James Martin. It was created entirely in Asheville, NC.

After Nic’s marriage falls apart, he seeks solace in the faith he once lost. The film premiered at Cat Fly Halloween Film Fest in Asheville, NC on October 13th to a sold out audience. Find the short film at Artificial Ink and embedded below via Vimeo:

12th Level Intellects has maintained its biweekly schedule. Not that it should come as a surprise, but it feels good to be consistent. In November, we released our third and fourth episodes, embedded below via the Watchtower Database on YouTube.

Our third episode “Arrowverse vs DCAU” consists of an analysis between popular television adaptations of the DC Universe. We compare the CW’s “Arrowverse” from Berlanti Production (ARROW, THE FLASH, LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, and SUPERGIRL) with Warner Bros. Animation’s DC Animated Universe (BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, BATMAN BEYOND, and JUSTICE LEAGUE), which is regarded by many as the most pure and distilled version of DC Comics’ characters.

The fourth episode “More DCAU Fan Theories!” discusses just that… more DCAU fan theories. James and I started this podcast by reviewing fan theories that present possible plot points that may have occurred behind the scenes in the DCAU, and then we weigh their plausibility. We particularly discuss how Gorilla Grodd may have induced visions of Brainiac in Lex Luthor’s mind in JLU season 3, the alleged supernatural powers of Andrea Beaumont’s Phantasm, and J’onn J’onzz getting replaced by the Justice Lord version from a dark parallel universe.

AS ONE FLESH is the horror short film that I produced over the summer, which was written and directed by J.W. Naylor, starring Jeff Alexander, Victoria Rae, Franklin Lovingood, and James Martin. Although the short film recently premiered at Cat Fly Halloween in Asheville, North Carolina on October 13th, we are now prepping to submit the film to other festivals, both domestic and international.

The film will also be available for online streaming within the next few weeks. When wading through the festival circuit, I believe it is always helpful to attach an attractive and engaging poster to submissions. Vincent Secary provided art and design on the poster for AS ONE FLESH. Find it embedded below via Instagram.

After enjoying an extended run on the festival circuit over the last year, notably at the Catalina Film Festival and Just For Laughs in Montreal as a guest of Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, GOOD HAIR has settled on a home for its online distribution. The romantic comedy short film is now available for free streaming on Amazon Video.

Kat Dee Holly and Fray Forde are currently forging ahead on their latest venture, FAMILY TRADITION, a short independent film about a delightfully dysfunctional family, set in Holly’s home of Gaffney, South Carolina. Coki Productions, previously known as Good Hair Entertainment, is currently undergoing a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise production funds. Please consider making a donation.